Agero Spotlight - Northwest Regional Manager Matt Lockley

Matt Lockley

Northwest Regional Manager

Zones 1-5

781-306-3479

westregionalmanager@agero.com

5 Fun Facts About Matt:

What single word describes you best?

Dependable

What’s one fun fact about you that not everyone may know?

I enjoy hiking.

If you had the ability to have dinner with one person (past or present) who would it be and why?

Albert Einstein. He was a man who inspired creative thinking. I think it would be an interesting conversation.

Who do you admire most in life?

My mom. She is my inspiration in life.

If you could live the life of one celebrity for an entire day, who would it be and why?

Tom Brady. Super bowl champ and MVP.

Tow Truck of the Week - February 4, 2015

The Tow Truck of the Week goes to:

Shaws' Auto Service in La Porte, IN

Want your tow truck or road service vehicle featured on AgeroNetworkNews.com?

Email your best picture, company name and location to AgeroNews@agero.com. 

Agero Industry News - Winter Safety Tips

Here are a few suggestions to ensure you get from point A to point B safely and confidently, during the harsh winter months:

• Keep an eye on the weather forecast during your winter travels as snowfall, ice, and other wintry conditions will certainly play a role in your ETAs and service delivery.

• Take note of your odometer and coordinate it with exit numbers, mileposts, or crossroads so if you are in a crash or slide off the road you'll be more prepared to identify where you are and acquire assistance more quickly to your location.

• Be courteous to those awaiting your arrival. Call ahead to your destination just as you are leaving and be realistic about your ETAs. Be sure to keep your customers and Agero aware of your travel statuses and any time changes.

• Look farther ahead in traffic than you normally do. The actions of other cars and trucks will act as a red flag if there are abnormal road conditions coming your way, allowing you extra time to react safely.

• Trucks take longer to respond and come to a complete stop when breaking, so break early and break correctly. It takes more time and distance to stop in adverse conditions.

Stay safe and warm!

Tow Truck of the Week - January 28, 2015

The Tow Truck of the Week goes to:

Eska Towing & Transport, LLC in Hopatcong, NJ

Want your tow truck or road service vehicle featured on AgeroNetworkNews.com? Next week we will feature a Tow Truck or Road Service Vehicle taking on the snow! 

Email your best picture, company name and location to AgeroNews@agero.com. 

Agero Best Practices - Quoting ETA’s during Inclement Winter Weather

Service Providers:

Blizzard warnings have been issued for parts of seven states in anticipation of Winter Storm Juno, which will be a major snowstorm for the Northeast Monday through Tuesday night, lingering into Wednesday morning. Parts of the region will see blizzard conditions and more than 2 feet of snow. Severe weather will certainly bring unexpected call volume as well as unforeseen challenges on the road. Our primary concern is the safety of both you and our customers, we urge you to operate on the side of caution while quoting realistic ETA’s based on the weather conditions in your area. Agero understands that ETA’s are naturally going to be higher than usual during this time. To assure that your extended ETA’s are being accepted, please follow these steps:

• Enter Your ETA
• Select “Weather” as the option (when asked the reason for the lengthy ETA)

Please Note: The “weather” option will appear after your ETA has been given and or entered and is offered to you through all Instant Dispatch platforms, Ageros Roadside Connect app as well as our automated dispatching system.

Agero is aware of all the states that will be impacted by the storm and will accept your prolonged ETA’s accordingly.

Thank you and drive safe! 

Join Agero's Network of Service Providers Today

Do you know someone interested in joining the Agero network? Here are a few services that we have to offer:

Emergency Road Services (ERS) - These are your "everyday" breakdowns including: towing, lockouts, jumpstarts, tire changes, winching, and fuel deliveries. Response times should be within 45 minutes.

Priority Towing - Service Providers that elect to participate in our Priority Towing program will help us service our more urgent dispatches, which may include accidents or customers that are enrolled in a premium service. A Priority Towing Service Provider responds directly to the disablement scene within 20 minutes and moves the vehicle to a designated repair facility. Any accident related tows will be for instances that do not impede traffic, and thus enrolling in this program will not impact or take away from any existing municipal towing that your business may currently have.

Secondary Towing (Vehicle Release Management) - Your responsibility will be to deliver these vehicles from an impound or storage yard to a designated body shop within the following times: If dispatched to your company before 12 PM, vehicle to be delivered by 5 PM local time; If dispatched after 12 PM local time, 24 hours to complete the call.

You may choose to enroll in all three offerings or the one that best fits your business model. Our goal is to build lasting relationships and work with you so we can achieve success.

To fill out an online application visit www.joinagero.com.

We look forward to working with you and having you as part of our network.

Tow Truck of the Week - January 19, 2015

The Tow Truck of the Week goes to:

Wilk's Towing & Recovery in Riverhead, New York

Want your tow truck or road service vehicle featured on AgeroNetworkNews.com? Email your best picture, company name and location to AgeroNews@agero.com.

Tow Truck of the Week - January 12, 2015

Our very first Tow Truck of the Week goes to:

Dynamic Towing Service in El Paso Texas

Want your tow truck or road service vehicle featured on AgeroNetworkNews.com? Email your best picture, company name and location to AgeroNews@agero.com.

Happy Holidays From Agero

Agero Industry News - Holiday Call Volume

Agero saw very strong dispatch volume over the Thanksgiving holiday, with significant spikes in volume in the days leading up to and after Thanksgiving.  The highest call volume before Thanksgiving occurred on Monday, November 24^th and the largest after took place on Monday, December 1^st.  With gas prices falling, travelers may be more inclined to drive more, so expect another busy holiday season.

This year Christmas falls on a Thursday, so expect a volume projection similar to Thanksgiving– high call volume early in the week (Monday / Tuesday), and lower volume on the 24^th and 25^th.  Call volume will likely peak on Monday, December 29^th as travelers head back home.

We’d like to thank you all for your hard work and dedication. We appreciate all of you who work during the holidays, and assist our customers during their travels to visit friends and family.  Thank you for keeping everyone safe!

Have You Heard of Agero Provider Perks?

Agero Provider Perks is an exclusive discount program featuring leading tow industry suppliers and designed to give Agero Service Providers valuable special offers on the products, tools, services, training, and financing they need to run their businesses. 

If you havent already, go to www.ageroproviderperks.com.  Just enter your provider ID number in the "Activate Here" section and start saving today!

Congratulations to Agero's 2014 Special Recognition Award Recipients

This year at the Baltimore Tow Show we held a special Service Provider Reception on Friday November 21st. This reception was a chance for us to recognize and thank our top performing providers who are extremely dedicated and go above and beyond with service and performance. Thank you for coming out to the Baltimore Tow Show and for all that you do!

Agero's Customer Service Heroes - October 2014

We welcome compliments and positive feedback on our providers.

Thank you to to the following Service Providers for their excellent service.

Just wanted to pass this along to Gordon and his driver who took care of an insurance member. The company was quite pleased and impressed with your promptness and the knowledge of the driver. The poor customer had a bad experience with another company and didn't think we could do better. Well you turned a bad situation into a Great Kudo call for you guys. Thanks from Mr. Haight and as well from myself!!! You guys ROCK!!!

A&T Towing (Napa, CA)

Jerald was awesome, He took this very complicated call with ease and showed how a Good SP in our network is not afraid to take a challenging call. The customers had left his vehicle and taken the flat tire with him. The Service Provider was willing to pick customer up from his home and take him back to the vehicle to establish the service. These Guys are awesome!

All in One Auto Repair (Ukiah, CA)

I dispatched a call to D&L Towing which was 60 miles from them, in Hubbard, NE. The man that I spoke with, Larry, was extremely friendly and helpful, and agreed to take the call even though it was so far away because I couldn't find anyone else and he did not want the customer to be stranded. He and his company are a great asset!

D & L Towing (Norfolk, NE)

The customer was very pleased with the service today. She said that the driver who went out to her was very helpful and respectful. She was happy they arrived on time and even before the scheduled time they had given us. She wishes to use them more often and thanks them for the service today.

Express Roadside (Tucson, AZ)

AgeroSupport.com: Active Dispatches

Agero Support is more than a tool to enter your Agero PO's. It is full of important information about customers past and present. Not enough providers are using the "Active Dispatches" option on Agero Support today.  Below are highlights about why you should.

Scorecard Page

If you have ever found yourself calling Agero to find a missing faxed PO or just looking for more information about a PO, you need to use the "Active Dispatches" link. The link can be found under the Quick Links area on your Scorecard page.  Clicking "Active Dispatches" will take you to the page below:

Active Dispatches make it simple

Use this section to view the dispatches you have received from Agero for the past 2 days. This site will update every 30 seconds but you can also hit the refresh button to load the most current data.

To view the detailed information, choose a PO number from the drop down menu. You will then see all the information you'd expect to find on a faxed or emailed PO sheet.

Don't waste your valuable time waiting on a fax to print or calling the provider hot line. Click on "Active Dispatches" today for the call information you need.

Agero's Customer Service Heroes - September 2014

We welcome compliments and positive feedback on our providers.

Thank you to Pop A Lock in Orlando, FL

for their excellent service.

“I have been a customer of my insurance company for quite some time, and met quite a few road-side servicemen who have worked through the company.  I have had generally good service, but nothing exceptional...until tonight! I wanted to take the time out of my evening to personally mention that David of Pop-A-Lock in the greater Orlando area was an AMAZINGLY excellent service provider!  Apart from being VERY professional in the service he provided, he was also incredibly kind and quite personable!  This is an excellent employee, and apart from thanking him, I wanted to thank your company for hiring him.  He was very quick, very polite, and had no problem entertaining my conversation while filling out his paper work.  He called me to let me know that traffic was going to cause him a slight delay, and yet still showed up well before I expected him to (knowing how brutal the traffic in this area can be).  I feel that David is an invaluable asset to your organization, and I hope this message finds you well!  If you get the chance, please thank him again for me to let him know that his actions were greatly appreciated.”

- a completely satisfied customer

Thank you to Kidd’s Towing in Kansas

for their excellent service.

"I was so impressed with your company's service today I decided to write you a message to say thank you! It is not every day that a company takes extra time with its customers to make them feel appreciated, but KIDD'S Towing did just that, today! After calling my insurance company’s roadside, I received a courtesy call from KIDD'S Towing indicating where the tow truck was and when it might arrive at my destination. This was extremely helpful because then I knew there was someone on the way! I appreciate the other two courtesy calls I received as well, indicating the truck was finishing one tow and headed in my direction. I felt cared for as a customer and I will definitely be referring KIDD'S Towing to others I talk to! Furthermore, each of the personnel I spoke to were polite, helpful, informative and professional in their speech! Thank you KIDDS! There is obviously a high level of leadership and integrity in this company! I cannot thank you and your company enough for taking the extra moments to be personable and compassionate with me as I was in a difficult situation, today! You eased the uncertainty of knowing where my van would end up and I believe it was in great hands with KIDD'S Towing service! Thank you again for being a company full of integrity and expert customer service.

- a completely satisfied customer

Agero Vehicle Training - 5 Steps to Unlocking a 2014 Ford Fusion

Click here for a quick and helpful 5 step guide to unlock a 2013-2014 Ford Fusion published in the August 2014 issue of Tow Times Magazine. 

Agero Best Practices – Tow-to Destination

Your company and employees are a vital link in delivering first class service. Our primary goal is to take care of the motorist while ensuring the vehicle is safely delivered to its specific tow-to destination. Please be sure to follow proper protocol by towing the vehicle to the destination provided by Agero.

Important Reminder - Any change in a tow-to location must be reported back to Agero for approval in advance as a change in destination could impact coverage limits. Failure to comply with this requirement may result in non-payment and/or removal from our network.

If you need to update a tow-to destination please do so by calling Agero at 1-800-541-2262 Option #1 for authorization.

We appreciate your cooperation.

Thank you.

Agero Spotlight - Nicole Reyes - Performance Manager, NY & NJ

Agero blogger, Amy Abou-Zaki recently sat down with Performance Manager, Nicole Reyes to ask her 10 questions about herself and her role within Agero, here is what she had to say:

How would you explain your role at Agero?

My title is Network Performance Manager. I am responsible for managing and maintaining consistent performance of all service providers located in the NY/ NJ area. The two most important aspects of my job are analytics and relationship building.

How long have you been with Agero and what other sorts of job positions have you had prior to Agero?

I have only been with the company for less than a month, so yes I am a rookie! Prior to Agero, I worked for Enterprise, managing a 200 car branch. While in college, I completed three co-ops at large CPG companies including General Electric and Staples where I worked in Consumer Marketing and Market Research.

What was your favorite job?

It’s a toss-up between working at a boat dealership and working at a dog groomer. At one I got to hang outside on million dollar boats in the summertime. At the other I got to hang out with Beagles and Golden Retrievers all day.

Who is the person you admire most? 

My gram. She is the most loving and loyal person I know.

If you had one full year off to focus on anything, what would it be? 

Traveling the world. I had the opportunity to study abroad in college and it was the best experience of my life.

Where is your favorite place to travel?

Italy – good wine, delicious food, gorgeous beaches, and the “siesta.” How can you beat it?

Who is your favorite sports team?

New England Patriots – sorry J-E-T-S fans!

What is your favorite food?

Sushi and chicken parm. (Just not together, of course)

What is your best character trait?

The ability to make people laugh. Laughing is cheap medicine.

What is the best advice you have to offer?

“Have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary… Stay Hungry. Stay Foolish.” – Steve Jobs

Agero Accepts the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge

Agero gladly accepted the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge this week. Over 50 Associates & Senior Leaders in the Medford, MA office participated and Agero is making a donation to strike out ALS on their behalf. Thank you to everyone who participated!

Agero Spotlight - Colin Murphy - Performance Manager, PA & OH

Agero Blogger Amy Abou-Zaki recently sat down with Performance Manager Colin Murphy to ask him 10 questions about himself and his role within Agero, here is what he had to say:

How would you explain your role at Agero?

My title with Agero is “Network Performance Manager.”  This role entails everything from account management, rate negotiations, data analysis and everything in between.

How long have you been with Agero and what other job positions have you held prior to Agero?

I have been with Agero for one month.  Prior to working with Agero I worked in buying and procurement for an ecommerce candy company.  I also spent several years in the financial industry.

What was your favorite job before Agero?

Being a basketball camp counselor during my summer breaks, early in college.

Who is the person you most admire?

My father.

If you had one full year off to focus on anything, it would be... 

My studies.  I would acquire my master’s degree.

Where is your favorite place to travel?

Anywhere with warm weather, a beach and a golf course.

What is your favorite sports team?

It’s a toss-up between the New England Patriots, Boston Bruins and the 2002 Boston Celtics.      

What is your favorite food?

Pretty much anything with some spice.

What would you descrive as your best character trait?

My enthusiasm and motivation.

What is the best advice you have to offer?

Full eyes, clear hearts, can’t lose.